The number of applications the WCIT Charity received this quarter rose once again, with nearly 90 organisations requesting funds across the whole spectrum of IT needs – hardware and software upgrades, website redesigns, the development of new platforms, security overhauls and the training and education of many different community groups with many different needs.
All were for truly deserving causes, so once again the Charitable Operations Committee had the unenviable task of whittling the list down to just a few.
The WCIT Charity continued to foster its long-term relationship with Lifelites, by providing £5,000 for Soundbeam technology that will be used to enhance the lives of young people in children’s hospices across the UK.
The Charity also recognised the WCIT’s oldest affiliation with the Royal Corps of Signals by choosing to support a computer programming and robotics module being developed to enhance the Royal Signals Museum’s outreach work. The new module reflects the increased use of unmanned and autonomous systems in the military.
Finally, the WCIT Charity awarded £14,599 to Age UK London as part of its digital inclusion campaign. The money will enable them to develop digital champions who will cascade their learning to pensioner support groups across the capital. By teaching older Londoners how to use online petitions and consultations, social media and other digital platforms, they will be able to have their say in the things that matter to them the most.
Chair of the WCIT Charity Board, Past Master Stefan Fafinski, said: “We were once again blown away by the number of applications we received – proof that digital and tech funding is now more important than ever.”
